I'm no expert but it was just "picked up" by a satellite that happened to be in the area. Yeah right. Satellite tasking is expensive business and
you have a dam good reason for putting it on a path that'd take it over worthless space.

Originally posted by rvfried
I think the US would have DSP satellites in the area to monitor for any type of test. In the 60's-80's we used to fly a modified KC-135 to monitor
for atmospheric tests...

Does any one know of a U-2 that was modified to monitor tests?

Yes, my son is asleep and I can't get to my books, but the U2 was modified to launch off of a carrier (USS America if I recall) to collect particles
from a French test. I will try to put up more info on this in the AM.

North Korea cloud 'not nuke blast'
SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) -- A large cloud that appeared over North Korea in satellite images several days ago was not the result of a nuclear
explosion, according to a U.S. official.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency is reporting a huge explosion shook North Korea's northernmost province on Thursday producing a mushroom cloud over
two miles (4 km) wide.

The blast coincided with the anniversary of North Korea's founding on Sepember 9 when various military activities are staged.

The U.S. official said the cloud could be the result of a forest fire.READ
MORE....

Of course they'll say this...complete upset and turmoil would result in the States if the gov't came out and told them it was a nuclear test. My
one problem with this is why it wasn't reported elsewhere. I mean...nuclear bombs are pretty massive, and it is usually known when one is set off.
But with the suppsed with of the cloud...it has to be a nuke or something of that magnitude. If it is a nuke, it surely makes things extremely
interesting with N. Korea. I'm also surprised S. Korea isn't making a really huge statement about this blast. You would think they would since
they are knocking distance next door.

Yep, with the Taepodong 2 NKU is capable of attacking the west coast of the US. The Taepodong 1 is capable of reaching to Alaska. They have been
developing the Taepodong 2 for quite some time, though I am not sure if it's actually been finalized and reached production yet.

Anyway, the NKU is extremely dangerous. It is run by a sociopath and the society is so ignorant and brainwashed that they will believe anything he
says. It's a gigantic personality cult. If you ever get a chance to see a documentary by foreigners about North Korean society, watch it....I watched
one where the camera crew was escorted around the country by these government tour guides who bulls****ed the whole thing and denied that millions of
people were starving and that the country was in perfect order. It's actually quite impressive.

This isn't starting to sound to pleasant. The clues are pointing towards a nuclear test. A nuclear explosion so close to the founding date of his
communist regime seems a likely date. Trying to flex thier atomic arm and rally support, I hope its all misunderstanding.

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